A No-Dig Solution for Damaged Drains
At West Sussex Drains, no two callouts are ever the same. But one thing that often crops up is homeowners concerned about damaged drains beneath patios, driveways, or extensions. Understandably, nobody wants to dig up expensive paving just to get to a pipe.
That’s exactly what happened on a recent job. A homeowner in Fishbourne had been putting up with slow drains for a while before deciding to get some professional advice. They gave us a call, and after taking a closer look, we found a way to fix the problem without digging up their patio.
A Persistent Drain Blockage
Our customer was experiencing repeated blockages in the foul drain running from their property to the main manhole. When we arrived, we used our high-pressure water jetting equipment to clear the immediate blockage. Once the drain was running clear again, we carried out a CCTV drain survey to get a better look at what was going on below ground.
Blistered Pitch Fibre Pipe
When we checked the camera footage, it was clear the drain had been made from pitch fibre – an older material that was popular back in the 1960s and 70s. Unfortunately, it doesn’t hold up well over time. This type of pipe is known for blistering and warping, which narrows the space inside and causes everything to slow down or back up. Left long enough, it can sometimes lead to a full collapse.
The damaged section ran directly under a patio, and naturally the customer didn’t want us to start digging. We recommended a trenchless repair instead, which meant we could fix the problem without disturbing the patio.
Re-Rounding and Pipe Relining
Using specialist tools, we carefully re-rounded the old pipework. This helped to smooth out the blisters and reshape the drain back to its proper size, allowing everything to flow as it should again.
After that, we installed a liner inside the pipe to strengthen it and protect it from further damage. The liner is a permanent solution that reinforces the pipe without any mess or disruption at ground level.
A Fully Functioning Drain with No Disruption
Because we used the no-dig method, the patio was left exactly as it was before we arrived. The drain is now working properly again, and the customer can relax knowing the job has been done right.
If you’ve got older pitch fibre drains and you’re not sure what condition they are in, we’re always happy to help. Give our team a call on 01243 671359 and we’ll talk you through your options.
Learn more about our pipe relining services.
